BSc Hons Biomolecular Sciences

This module aims to give you:

• the foundation practical skills required for a biological biochemistry
• the foundation practical skills based around 'health and the body'
• foundation presentation skills

From this module, you will gain:

• foundation-level knowledge relating to basic evolution, species diversity, development, homeostasis, and infectious disease
• the principles of biological action and function that you will encounter through all four years
• knowledge about methods of teaching, learning and assessment used throughout the degree, with particular focus on teamwork and finding, citing and using information

This module aims to give you:

• an understanding of nucleotide/nucleic acid molecular structure, stereochemistry and conformation as the foundation of nucleic acid chemical and biological potential.
• an understanding of amino acid/protein molecular structure, stereochemistry and conformation as the foundation of protein chemical and biological potential.
• an understanding of monosaccharide/polysaccharide molecular structure, stereochemistry and conformation as the foundation of carbohydrate chemical and biological potential.
• an understanding of the chemistry, stereochemistry and biological roles of polyketide/polyisoprene natural products and their biosynthetic origins.

After completion of the module you will be able to:

• understand basic physiology and how drugs work affect this.
• understand fundamental aspects of pharmacology and how drugs are tested in experimental models and man.
• have a knowledge of drug discovery from a historical and modern perspective.
• understand how drug delivery and distribution affects the effectiveness of drugs.
• have a knowledge that drug development is not always associated with treatment of disease

The module aims to:

• provide foundation level knowledge relating to basic functions of cells.
• set out principles of biological action and function that will be encountered through all four years
• understand and demonstrate an understanding of the basic suite of teaching, learning and assessment paradigms used throughout their degree with particular focus on presentation skills.

On successful completion of this module you will be able to:

• understand what forensic science is and the general science underpinning it.
• understand crime scene investigation and the roles and responsibilities of the personnel involved.
• understand the most commonly encountered evidence types in forensic science and how they can be used in casework.
• understand the legal framework within which forensic science is conducted and the value and limitations of evidence in this context.

By participating in the module, students should acquire a basic understanding of the breadth of study in psychology. They should also begin to understand the importance of taking a critical approach to research findings and theory in the subject, developing an awareness of the need to read around each piece of evidence with which they are presented, seeking alternative explanations of the significance of psychological phenomena.

On successful completion of this module, you will:

• acquire a basic understanding of the breadth of study in psychology.
• appreciate the importance of taking a critical approach to research findings and theory in the subject. This means that you become aware of the need to read around each piece of evidence with which you are presented, seeking alternative explanations of the significance of psychological phenomena.
• appreciate the usefulness of presenting balanced arguments on critical issues in psychological research.
• appreciate the importance of considering evidence from a variety of sources to understand the mechanisms underlying behaviour

The aims of this module are to give you the fundamental:

• practical skills required for a biochemist
• practical skills required for an immunologist
• practical skills required for a microbiologist
• practical skills required for a pharmacologist
• skills in presentation and teamwork

The aims of this module are for you:

• to understand gene structure and function and the regulation of gene expression
• to understand how human genetic variation arises and its uses in medicine and forensics
• to understand the basic structure and function of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates
• to appreciate the key metabolic pathways in the absorptive and post-absorptive states
• to understand the pathways involved in cell growth and cell death

By studying this module, you'll be able to demonstrate an understanding of:

• how immune cells recognise antigens
• key concepts in induction of acquired immunity
• effector mechanism of the immune system
• helpful immune responses
• harmful immune responses

The aims of this module are to help you to:

• understand the fundamental taxonomic grouping and evolutionary relationships of microbes
• appreciate physiological, structural and molecular differences between different microorganisms
• understand the role and control of microorganisms in disease
• learn how organisms adapt to hostile environments and appreciate the biotechnological exploitation of extremophiles

This module aims to develop your understanding of:

• systems biology and homeostasis
• the somatic, autonomic and central nervous systems
• the cardiovascular and respiratory systems
• the hepatic and renal systems
• the endocrine and reproductive systems

The aims of this module are to:

• give you generic practical skills in biomolecular science
• further develop your practical skills in specific biomedical biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, histopathology and serology that align with the module choices of the degree programme
• enhance your report writing and presentation skills

The aims of this module are:

• to understand and appreciate the key features of cellular signalling and associated molecular mechanisms that regulates gene transcription
• to learn the key features of membrane and organelle trafficking
• to understand the basis of molecular and cellular toxicity underlying tissue/organ dysfunction and organism pathologies
• to gain knowledge in the genomic basis of eukaryotic/human disorders and disease
• to understand and appreciate the biochemical approaches that underpin drug discovery

The aims of this module are:

• to provide you with an understanding of how pathogens are recognised
• to give you an appreciation of how immune cells are activated
• to teach you about the cytotoxic mechanisms used by immune cells
• to demonstrate how the immune system is regulated
• to give you knowledge in what immunological memory is and how it functions

The aims of this module are to:

• introduce haematology & immunohaematology
• familiarise you with the intermediate concepts of the immune system & aspects of clinical & laboratory practice
• this will include material delivered by the Scottish Blood Transfusion service

The aims of this module are to:

• understand the difference between taxonomic and phylogenetic classification of microorganisms
• gain knowledge on the principles that underpin bacterial, fungal and viral identification
• become familiar with the structure, function and growth characteristics of bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa and apply that knowledge to their role in disease development
• describe the distinguishing features, pathogenic properties, epidemiology, treatment and control of medically important bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa

This module helps you to develop your research skills in a capstone project. Six types of research project are available:

1. Laboratory based research
2. Data-based analysis research
3. Educational research
4. Critical analysis
5. Science communication
6. Knowledge Exchange

There will be concurrent workshops on research methods and ethics. This will reinforce and develop learning in areas such as the ethics of scientific research, statistical analysis, database searching and annotation, writing a thesis and presenting a seminar. In addition, you will choose from and attend a series of tutorials & workshops on supplementary skills topics that relate to the projects. The material will be delivered using staff/student led workshops.

After completing the module, you will be able to:

• diagnose disease based on cell and molecular pathology techniques
• define the molecular basis of cell injury caused by toxic compounds and drugs
• describe the morphological changes associated with cell damage and relate this to specific disease processes
• appreciate the role of the biomedical scientist in the histopathology lab

The aims of this module are:

• to give you an understanding of the immune responses associated with transplantation
• to provide you with a knowledge of the immune responses associated with cancer
• to help you to understand the immune responses associated with autoimmunity
• to give you an appreciation of the immune responses associated with allergy
• to teach you about the immune responses associated with immunodeficiency

This module aims to provide:

• an understanding of the aetiologies, pathologies, and symptomatologies of the major disorders that are diagnosed through sample analysis within a Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory
• a theoretical and practical understanding of the diagnostic assays and assay parameters that are used in a Clinical Biochemistry laboratory
• experience of the arrangement and workflow of a typical Clinical Research laboratory gained through a visit
• this will include material delivered by NHS Clinical Scientists and Biomedical Scientists

The aims of this module are to:

• understand the principles of epidemiology in infectious diseases
• become familiar with the diagnosis of microbial identification using genotyping and viable and non-viable approaches
• understand the mechanisms of antimicrobial agents and antimicrobial resistance as well as the significance of biofilms in antimicrobial resistance
• recognise the mechanisms and importance of infection control in the immune-compromised host